U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Civics Practice Test

The highest court in the United States is the Supreme Court. This institution is the ultimate arbiter of legal disputes and has the power to interpret the Constitution and federal laws. As the apex court, its decisions are final and binding on all lower courts in the country. The Supreme Court has the authority to hear cases that involve constitutional questions, federal law, and disputes between states, among other matters.

In contrast, the Court of Appeals serves as an intermediate appellate court, reviewing decisions made by District Courts but below the Supreme Court in the hierarchy of the judicial system. The District Courts are the trial courts where federal cases begin, handling a wide variety of civil and criminal cases, but they do not possess the same level of authority as the Supreme Court. The International Court, while significant on a global scale, operates in the realm of international law and does not hold jurisdiction over U.S. domestic legal matters.